Wetherspoon boss blasts Soho’s ‘barmy’ vertical drinking crackdown Hospitality JD Wetherspoon boss Sir Tim Martin has blasted Westminster Council’s “barmy” curbs on vertical drinking, which he said are “inhibiting business”. Martin, the chairman of Britain’s best-known pub chain, has waded into a row over the Council’s restrictions on so-called “vertical drinking” in Soho and an effective ban on new pubs and bars in the [...]
Is Soho nightlife really dead? We went partying to find out Life&Style “I’m trying to prove you can still have a great night out in Soho,” I say. “You can. But not a late one,” replies Lesley Lewis over a glass of white wine at her beloved pub the French House. “I’ve always loved Soho,” says the legendary proprietor, who has run the French House for 37 [...]
Business rates cut will ‘backfire’ for Soho and West End Retail John Healey’s plans to deliver an emergency tax cut for high street businesses would fail to boost most firms in London’s busiest areas like Soho and the West End, analysis suggests. The Chancellor is reportedly planning to cut taxes for pubs, shops, cafes and restaurants by hiking the threshold for small business rates relief (SBBR). [...]
No 10 backs ‘vertical drinking’ in Soho pubs August 7, 2026 Downing Street has waded into the debate over so-called “vertical drinking” and called on Westminster City Council to “work with” the industry to maintain the culture of pints outside London pubs. “Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs,” [...]
Soho killjoys are the worst kind of Londoners June 4, 2026 The Soho Society has declared a Nimby campaign against all new licensing applications. If they don’t want to live in the party centre of London they should leave, says James Ford What is the collective noun for a bunch of party poopers? A kennel of killjoys? A complaint of curmudgeons, perhaps? Well, if left to [...]
Heatwave ready! 9 best rooftop bars in Soho and Covent Garden May 21, 2026 The London heatwave is here and it’s time to get outside. Following our recent round-up of the best London rooftop bars in the Square Mile, we’ve collected our favourite rooftop bars in Soho and Covent Garden. Here are the very best, with one suited to you – no matter your vibe. If you’re looking for [...]
Khao Bird: Top Thai restaurant takes over Soho’s last dirty cinema February 10, 2026 What could be a greater sign of the times than a hip pop-up restaurant opening on the site of Soho’s last adult cinema? It’s over! Soho’s dead! First they closed the late night drinking dens and then they pushed out the brothels and now there’s nowhere to watch grubby movies. The final remnants of seedy [...]
Farmer J has a rival: meet new London restaurant Honest Greens January 14, 2026 Until very recently one of the top corporate complaints was how impossible it is to get a healthy lunch. Well, how things have changed: now you cannot move through the City without being confronted by a fast-casual outlet touting some sort of swattishly nutritious boxed up lunchstuff. There are now so many options that innovator [...]
Soho home to new three-story sports bar in boost for London October 25, 2025 Soho this week welcomed a new three-story sports bar in a boost to central London’s offering as Box opened its doors to punters. The 33-screen Shaftesbury Avenue opened this week and is expected to form a key pillar of Soho’s sporting nightlife. Split over three floors, Box Piccadilly has 33 screens, karaoke booths, shuffleboard and [...]
Losses widen at owner of scandal-hit The Groucho Club September 26, 2025 Losses have widened at the owner of The Groucho Club in London despite its turnover rising during its latest financial year. The Groucho Club is one of London’s most famous private members’ clubs and has been going since 1985. The Soho venue was founded a a more relaxed alternative to traditional gentlemen’s clubs and has [...]